Electronic system and method of automating, controlling, and optimizing the operation of one or more energy storage units and a combined serial and parallel hybrid marine propulsion system

Abstract

A method of integrating, optimizing and combining in a marine hybrid system, the operation of one or more variable speed high voltage direct current (HVDC) generator(s), one or more energy storage units and a combination of one or more HVDC parallel hybrid and serial hybrid propulsion systems through use of an Energy Management Computer. One aspect of the invention involves the application of logic programming to automate the optimization and the operation of the Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) so that whenever the system requires their usage, they are operated at optimum efficiency conditions. For an ICE to operate at peak efficiency a combination of a large energy storage unit used as a buffer combined with a mixture of both a serial and a parallel hybrid system is used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a hull;   an energy storage unit supported by the hull, the energy storage unit having a corresponding charge level;   a generator set supported by the hull, the generator selectively supplying at least one of house power, propulsion power and energy storage unit recharge power based at least in part on the selected one of the plurality of operating modes;   a first electric motor supported by the hull, the electric motor operating in an electric generation mode to generate electric power and as motor in a propulsion mode to turn a first propeller; a first prime mover internal combustion engine;   a gear box supported by the hull and connecting the first prime mover internal combustion engine, the first electric motor and the first propeller such that in at least one mode of operation the first prime mover internal combustion engine can drive the first propeller independent of the first electric motor and in at least a second mode of operation the first electric motor can drive the first propeller independent of the first prime mover internal combustion engine, the first prime mover internal combustion engine controllable to turn the first propeller and to drive the electric motor to generate the electric power when the electric motor is in the electric generation mode;   a human actuable input device supported by the hull, the human actuable input device selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;   an energy management control unit, the energy management control unit having a processor controlling the operation of the first prime mover internal combustion engine, the generator and the first electric motor based at least in part on the selected operating mode, the energy storage unit charge level, a house load demand and a propulsion demand;   a second prime mover internal combustion engine controllable by the energy management control unit to turn a second propeller and a cooling system, wherein the first prime mover internal combustion engine and the second prime mover internal combustion engine are each in fluid communication with the cooling system, and wherein when one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engines is not operating, the cooling of at least one of the operating first and second prime mover internal combustion engines and generator set maintains an operative temperature of the inoperative one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engines.   
     
     
         2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further including at least one of a wind generator and solar panels coupled to the marine vessel and providing energy to the energy storage unit. 
     
     
         3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating modes includes a mode in which the first propeller is turned by power exclusively provided by the energy storage unit. 
     
     
         4 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating modes includes a mode in which the generator and the energy storage unit cooperate to provide power to the first propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating modes includes an energy mode in which the energy storage unit, first prime mover internal combustion engine, and the generator set cooperate to provide power to the first propeller. 
     
     
         6 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a second electric motor corresponding to the second prime mover internal combustion engine, wherein when one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engines is not operating, the one of the first and second propellers corresponding to the non-operating one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engines is driven by the corresponding electric motor, the corresponding electric motor being powered by the operating one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         7 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the generator set includes a generator internal combustion engine, and wherein during startup of the generator internal combustion engine, the energy storage unit provides power to spin the electric motor, which further rotates the generator internal combustion engine to an operating speed before fuel is provided to power the generator internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising: a transmission; and a clutch coupled to the prime mover internal combustion engine, wherein during operation, the energy management control unit synchronizes the rotations per minute of the electric motor and the rotations per minute of the prime mover internal combustion engine before at least one of closing the clutch and engaging the transmission to join the electric motor and the prime mover internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         9 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch coupled to the prime mover internal combustion engine, and wherein when the clutch is in a closed position the electric motor performs one of recharging the battery and assisting in propulsion, and wherein when the clutch is in an open position, the electric motor performs one of providing propulsion and generating electricity. 
     
     
         10 . A method for operating a hybrid energy management system for a marine vessel, the method comprising: receiving a selected one of a plurality of operating modes; using a generator to selectively supplying at least one of house power, propulsion power and energy storage unit recharge power based at least in part on the selected one of the plurality of operating modes; operating an electric motor in an electric generation mode to generate electric power and as motor in a propulsion mode to turn a propeller; and controlling the operation of a prime mover internal combustion engine, the generator and the electric motor based at least in part on the selected operating mode, the energy storage unit charge level, a house load demand and a propulsion demand, the prime mover internal combustion engine being controllable to turn the propeller and to drive the electric motor to generate the electric power when the electric motor is in the electric generation mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein receiving a selected one of a plurality of operating modes includes receiving a selected mode in which the propeller is turned by power exclusively provided by the energy storage unit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein receiving a selected one of a plurality of operating modes includes receiving a selected mode in which the generator and the energy storage unit cooperate to provide power to the propeller. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein receiving a selected one of a plurality of operating modes includes receiving a selected mode in which the energy storage unit, prime mover internal combustion engine, and the generator cooperate to provide power to the propeller. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further including operating a second prime mover internal combustion engine controllable by the energy management control unit to turn a second propeller. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including using the energy storage unit during startup of the generator internal combustion engine to provide power to spin the electric motor, which further rotates the generator internal combustion engine to an operating speed before fuel is provided to power the generator internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when one of the first and second prime mover internal combustion engines is not operating, the propeller associated with the non-operating engine is driven by its associated electric motor powered by the Energy Storage Unit and the generator or by another operating engine's owns electric motor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further including operating a clutch coupled to the prime mover internal combustion engine, and wherein when the clutch is in a closed position the electric motor recharges the battery or assist in propulsion, and wherein when the clutch is in an open position, the electric motor provides propulsion or generates electricity if there is enough water flow over the propeller.